Remote ink fountain selection method and apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for remote ink control fountain selection comprising a video camera for reading a signature image, an image digitizer, an image comparator for comparing the signature image to a sample image set and a memory device for storing the sample image set in digitized form, as well as a method for remote ink fountain selection comprising the steps of digitizing sample images and providing each said sample image with an identification; digitizing a printed signature image from a printing press which corresponds to at least one of the sample images; comparing the digitized printed signature image to the digitized sample images; and outputting the identification of the digitized sample image upon a match with the digitized signature image.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for aiding remote ink fountain selection comprising the steps of: 
       digitizing sample images and providing each said sample image with an identification:  
       digitizing a printed signature image from a printing press which corresponds to at least one of the sample images:  
       comparing, the digitized printed signature image to the digitized sample images; and  
       outputting the identification of the digitized sample image upon a match with the digitized signature image.  
     
     
       2. The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the sample images are at least a part of actual images to be reproduced by the printing press. 
     
     
       3. The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the identification is a page number. 
     
     
       4. The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising the step of sending a control instruction to a fountain control box based on the identification. 
     
     
       5. The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising the step of determining a location of the printed signature image on a console surface. 
     
     
       6. The method as recited in  claim 5  further comprising the step of sending control instructions to a fountain control box based on the location.